slather

1 of 2

noun

slath·​er ˈsla-t͟hər 

: a great quantity

—often used in plural

slather

2 of 2

verb

slathered; slathering ˈsla-t͟hə-riŋ 

ˈslat͟h-riŋ

transitive verb

1

: to use or spend in a wasteful or lavish manner : squander

2

a

: to spread thickly or lavishly

slathered sunscreen on her skin

b

: to spread something thickly or lavishly on

slathered her skin with sunscreen

Examples of slather in a Sentence

Verb

We ate lobster slathered with butter.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But the rocket-to-the-moon additions are fresh cilantro, sharp scallions and red onion, a pile of pickled cucumber, and a huge slather of Mommy Pai’s spicy, mega-garlicky nam prik noom sauce, which is neon-green with pounded chiles. —Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 14 Dec. 2025

It’s used to glaze brisket or slather over ribs, adding heat and tang in equal measure. —Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025

Verb

Chef Jose Avila has served the Pambazo de Carnitas — the bread slathered and marinated in a red guajillo chili sauce — for six years, first from his food truck and since 2021 at his flagship Denver restaurant, La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal. —Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 20 Jan. 2026

Joo set up a table in the corner of La Sorted’s kitchen, firing flatbreads for sandwiches in the oven, some slathered with his pesto and mortadella, others with marinated meats from Korean destination Soban. —Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

1843, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1846, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for slather

• gather
• lather
• rather